New Mexico Tiger Muskie Record Broken ... Again

Marcos Mata's 50.5-inch, 38-pound, 2-ounce tiger muskie is officially the new New Mexico state record. The Albuquerque resident's entry marks the fourth time in the past year and a half that the record has changed hands.

The species was introduced to Bluewater and Quemado lakes in 2003 by the Department of Game and Fish in an attempt to control two other nonnative species; goldfish and white suckers. Since the initial stocking, more than 300,000 muskie fry and fingerlings have been released into the two lakes.

Mata caught his record-breaking fish on July 23 utilizing a two-inch Silver Minnow lure as bait.